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Hello RIASPA Membership,
We are looking forward to seeing you at our Membership meeting later this month. We will be focusing on
networking among the membership, and connecting to resources available in your communities. The
meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 9am to 11:30am, in the Rhode Island College Student
Union Ballroom. Please use the following link to register: https://uwriweb.org/riaspa.
Additionally in May, RIASPA will be offering two professional development opportunities, and have
rescheduled the Rhode Island Communities for Justice (RICJ) Cultural Competency Workshop for June.
Please check out the professional development section below, or the RIASPA Professional Development
web page, for more information!
AROUND THE STATE NEWS & RESOURCES
Have something to share? Email [email protected] to have your news included in BRIDGES!
Help RIASPA Update our Afterschool and Summer Learning Program Map
The RIASPA Afterschool and Summer Learning Program Map includes more than 200 afterschool and
summer learning programs in our state, with information about location, ages served, activities offered,
and more. Many parents and families utilize this map when searching for an afterschool or summer
learning program for their youth. You can help RIASPA keep this map updated by filling out a survey with
the most recent information about your organization’s afterschool and summer learning programs. Click
here to complete the survey. Thank you!
Join the Largest & Most Comprehensive Directory of STEM Opportunities and Programs by Registering
your Program with The Connectory!
The Connectory is a free online collaboration tool for STEM program providers to find partners based on
interests as well as a platform to showcase our STEM opportunities to families while sharing information,
ideas and resources with fellow STEM practitioners. Register your program today and start connecting at
www.TheConnectory.org.
The Enrichment Zone: Free Curriculum to Support Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Are you looking to help youth get on a pathway to living a healthier, more active lifestyle? If so, the
National Afterschool Association and the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation can help! Together, they
are providing the “Enrichment Zone,” a free curriculum for afterschool programs focused on promoting
energy balance. The Enrichment Zone resources explain to students the concepts of “Energy In” (food and
nutrition-related activities) and “Energy Out” (physical activities). It focuses particularly on the “Energy Out”
aspect to help afterschool programs guarantee students get the sixty minutes of daily physical activity as
recommended by the NAA Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards.
The Enrichment Zone was created to be used by afterschool professionals within their existing programs. Its
curriculum offers fun, motivational, and age-appropriate activities designed specifically for grades Pre-K to
five. Although these activities are educational and nutrition- or fitness-oriented, they are more informal
than a school day lesson plan. Many encourage free-form outdoor play and teach fun games that
incorporate physical activity and can be easily replicated at home. Physical activities such as hopscotch and
Mother, May I, are free and fun for all ages! The activities also include suggestions for affordable, healthful
snacks that come with a lesson. In one lesson, students taste a variety of beans while learning about the
vegetable’s benefits. The activity could easily be repeated with dozens of other fruits and veggie varieties.
In another snack activity, students learn about geometry by constructing shapes out of toothpicks, grapes,
and cheese cubes. The lesson plans are detailed, informative, and easy to follow. They can be used as a full
program, with 45 minute sessions a few times a week for six weeks, or by using the individual curriculum
pieces that best fit the needs of your youth. It’s intended to be flexible and customizable for afterschool
programs of all kinds. Sound like something that could benefit your afterschool program? Learn more, and
download curriculum, by clicking here.
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The Rhode Island SANS Cyber Aces State Championship
Qualifying Deadline: Thursday, June 4, 2015
Awards: New England Institute of Technology will award scholarships to the top three finalists (Please note:
Current NEIT students are not eligible for scholarships. Scholarships can only be applied to full-time degree
programs at NEIT.)
SANS Cyber Aces Online makes available, free and online, select courses from the professional
development curriculum offered by The SANS Institute, the global leader in cyber security training. SANS
goal in making these courses available as open courseware is to help grow the talent pool and accelerate
the rate at which skilled cyber professionals can enter the information security industry. The course covers
the three foundation areas of information security: Networking, Operating Systems, and Systems
Administration.
Top performers in the SANS Cyber Aces Online will be invited to an online State Championship on June 27,
2015, to compete for top honors and scholarships. Qualified participants will compete in SANS NetWars.
SANS NetWars is a suite of hands-on, interactive learning scenarios that enable information security
professionals to develop and master the real-world, in-depth skills they need to excel in their field. How
does it work? It’s easy! Have students take the three free tutorial modules and online quizzes in SANS Cyber
Aces Online before June 4, 2015, for an opportunity to be invited to the online championship. Visit
www.cyberaces.org for more information. The Rhode Island SANS Cyber Aces State Championship is hosted
in partnership with the New England Institute of Technology.
STEM Uncovered: Telling Our Afterschool Stories 2015 Video Competition
Deadlines:
 Monday, June 1, 2015 for school year after school programs
 Saturday, August 1, 2015 for summer programs
Through support from the Noyce Foundation and the C.S. Mott Foundation, STEM Uncovered is a new
national video competition in which afterschool and summer programs are invited to create a short (3
minute) video highlighting how they support innovative activities and help their students identify STEM
careers. This is the time to spotlight the great work that is happening through the STEM field in Rhode
Island! Six videos (3 from each category) from afterschool and summer programs will be recognized at a
national convening and be awarded $1,000.
Every day, a light goes on in a young person’s head as they grasp new concepts in science, technology,
engineering and math. This is because an afterschool or summer learning program has created hands-on
experiences where students’ interests are sparked and passions are fueled. Now is the time to tell that
story. Visit www.stemvideocompetition.org for more information and video guidelines.
RESEARCH/NEWS
Teens & Tech: What Happens when Students Give up Smartphones?
A recent project challenged young people to go cold turkey on using digital devices for a week. The results
suggest compulsion—not addiction—is the issue. So what happens when you ask a group of tech-loving
teens to switch off for a week? Find out here.
National Science Board Issues Report on the STEM-Capable Workforce
A new report from the National Science Board, the policy-making body for the National Science Foundation,
provides a “data-driven portrait” and “inclusive vision of a STEM-capable U.S. workforce.” Revisiting the
STEM Workforce examines questions such as: Is there a glut or shortage of STEM workers? Are there skills
mismatches? Are we adequately preparing workers with STEM skills? Read the NSF article about the report
and access the complete report here.
WEBINAR: Top Tips for Accommodations under the ADA: Who’s Ready for Summer Camp?
Wednesday, May 13, 2015: 1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. EST
Webinar Access Information will be Shared upon a Participants’ Registration
With summer just around the corner, summer camps and youth services providers are making preparations
for the fast-approaching camp season. You’re invited to join Shipman & Goodwin Attorneys Linda L. Yoder
and Leander A. Dolphin for a discussion of the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) application to camp
and other youth programs, and a review of top tips to consider, including accommodations, modifications
of policies and procedures, provision of auxiliary aids, and safety concerns. This webinar is intended for
Camp Directors, Summer Athletics Program Directors, Risk Management Personnel, Parks and Recreation
Personnel, Human Resource Professionals, Facilities Managers and Personnel. Register by clicking here.
WEBINAR: Competency-Based Learning: From Curiosity to Career
Wednesday, May 13, 2015: 1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. EST
Webinar Link
Call-In Information: 1-877-668-4493; Access Code: 640-647-895
Join network colleagues for a review of Maine’s educational innovations and learn about Project>Login’s
competency model that aligns anytime, anywhere learning resources with collaborative learning activities
and integrates workforce data into a next-generation model for learning. Presenters will include the Maine
Afterschool Network and Jay Collier, Director of Project>Login.
Webinar Description: Maine has been an innovator in K-12 learning for over 15 years—from the Maine
Learning Results and one of the first statewide school interconnects to the 1:1 laptop initiative and the
proficiency-based high school diploma starting next fall. Most recently, a statewide micro-credentials
initiative is piloting digital badges for both formal and informal learning. Within four years, some students
arriving on college campuses will only know the proficiency approach to learning.
On those foundations, Maine’s Project>Login has developed a career-oriented proficiency model integrated
with USDOL competency data, and using open educational resources. The first implementation of this
model supports learners of all ages who are sparked by digital technologies, promoting stepping stones
from curiosity to career: from playing and tinkering, to making and studying and mastering the
competencies and practices that will help them thrive in their future roles at home, work, and in the
community.
Netwalking: Networking on the Move
Wednesday, May 13, 2015: 5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Hope Artiste Village: The Empowerment Factory
999 Main Street, Suite 707, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Hosted by Gail Ahlers of Ahlers Designs and The Empowerment Factory, Netwalking seeks to bring the
business community together with educators and students. From 5:30-6:00 p.m. the event will feature an
introduction to Netwalking, followed by a step back in time while touring the Hope Artiste Village to share
its rich industrial history. Participants are asked to wear comfortable walking shoes! Register here.
Project WILD Workshop
Friday, May 15, 2015: 9:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Presented by: Audubon Society of Rhode Island at its Audubon Environmental Education Center
1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI 02809 (Location is 25 minutes from Providence, accessible by RIPTA—60 Line
from Downtown Providence—and by bicycle along the East Bay bike path)
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
At this lively and engaging professional workshop, participants are introduced to Project WILD materials,
activities and strategies. Through hands-on practice, educators gain the experience and confidence needed
to work with their students and to integrate Project WILD into their teaching.
The activities found in Project WILD instructional materials are intended for use in both classroom and
informal settings, and are designed to support state and national academic standards appropriate for
grades K-12. Activities can easily be adapted to meet the learning requirements for academic disciplines,
ranging from science and environmental education to social studies, math, and language arts. Educators
may choose one or more Project WILD activities to teach a concept or skill. The activities may be integrated
into existing courses of study, or an entire set of activities may serve as the basis for a specific course.
Project WILD’s primary audience is educators, both formal and informal, of kindergarten through high
school students. Each participant will receive a curriculum guide. Participants are also asked to dress
comfortably and to be prepared to go outside for some of the workshop’s activities. Register today at the
following link: https://uwriweb.org/wild.
Professional Development Planning Session
Wednesday, May 27, 2015: 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
United Way of Rhode Island
50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909
Registration Deadline: Monday, May 25, 2015
Join representatives from DCYF to learn about the approval process for professional development, and for a
conversation around creating professional development opportunities tailored toward your staff. This
workshop is intended for Director-level staff. Register by using the link, https://uwriweb.org/pdplanning.
Cultivating Readers: Using a Literacy-Based Curriculum to Teach Concepts of Food, Fitness & Farming
Friday, May 29, 2015: 9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
United Way of Rhode Island
50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Presented by Kristin Lehr Anderson, M.D., FAAP, FACP, Founder and Co-Executive Director of F.I.T. Club,
and Anita Carrandi DiMatteo, M.Ed., F.I.T. Club, this workshop will help participants discover strategies to
incorporate children’s literature into their program. Role play an interactive lesson that teaches kids about
pizza ingredients using the children’s book, The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza). Find out how F.I.T. Club
curriculum integrates the Common Core State Standards for both Mathematics and the English Language
Arts in conjunction with Science and Social Studies to educate students about food sourcing and
production, cooking, sustainability, nutrition and disease. Register for this workshop by visiting,
https://uwriweb.org/readers.
RICJ Cultural Competency Workshop Series (Two half-day sessions; registrants must participate in both)
Monday, June 8, 2015: 9:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015: 9:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
United Way of Rhode Island
50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2015
This two-part workshop provides insight on how culture shapes the structure of our organizations, as well
as our individual biases. Through facilitated discussions and activities, participants will explore issues of
race, power and privilege, and how to recognize both cultural inclusion and barriers to inclusion. This
training provides resources and helps build skills to understand how cultural competency can benefit
organizations. Additionally, it will provide CLAS National Standards and best practice models to help
participants become more aware when engaging with diverse communities and their own organizational
culture. The goal of this workshop is for participants to feel engaged, capable, and motivated to introduce
cultural competency practices in institutions, policy, and daily interactions. Register today using the
following link: https://uwriweb.org/ricjworkshop.
Troubleshooting
If you experience difficulty with any piece of the registration process for RIASPA Professional Development
offerings, we suggest trying the following:
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Try copying and pasting the link directly into your browser, rather than clicking it;
Use a browser different than the one giving you trouble (Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are
good alternatives);
All workshop information and registration links may also be found on the RIASPA Professional
Development website; and
If none of these alternatives work, please contact Jennifer Chapman for help troubleshooting your
technical difficulties, and Elana Rosenberg with any other questions.